FYI: October 2004

Monster
WavesMariners have
passed down legends of 100-foot waves rising up out of nowhere and destroying
boats on the open ocean since the days of Homer. With little hard evidence
behind them, however, most of these tales are dismissed as embellishments
or flat-out lies. But science now has proof positive that freak, monster
waves of biblical proportions strike far more often than statistical models
ever predicted.

In July the European
Space Agency (ESA) announced the stunning results of its MaxWave project,
in which satellites randomly shot 30,000 pictures of the ocean over three
weeks. In that period alone, scientists discovered more than ten rogue
waves around the world that reached heights of more than 80 feet—tall
enough to crush ocean liners and supertankers.

“Two large ships
sink every week on average, but the cause is never studied to the same
detail as an air crash. It simply gets put down to ‘bad weather,’”
says senior scientist Wolfgang Rosenthal. This ground-breaking research
shows that monster waves exist “in higher numbers than anyone expected,”
he explains.

Coincidentally, enormous
waves crashed into two cruise ships in the South Atlantic while the program
was underway. The Bremen and the Caledonian Star ran into
walls of water more than 100 feet high. The bridge windows on both ships
were smashed; the Bremen was left drifting without power for two
hours. Fortunately, no one was killed on either boat.

The incidents underscore
the need for gathering more data about oceanic waves. To help captains
prepare for such calamity in the future, the ESA plans to expand its research
to determine how and when these freak waves rise out of ocean eddies,
currents, and weather fronts. “The next step is to analyze if [rogue
waves] can be forecast,” Rosenthal says.

But if the accuracy
of most weather reports is any indicator, predicting when and where monster
waves will strike will be no easier than forecasting a summer shower.

8.2
Billions of dollars granted to the U.S. Coast Guard in August to expand
security operations at all major seaports, which includes the hiring of
8,500 additional active-duty personnel.

Things
We Like
Finally, navigational charts you can grab as quickly as a cold drink.
PMY editor-in-chief Richard Thiel discovered this clever design feature
while testing the new Sealine T60. Although retrieving charts usually
means leaving the helm and crouching over to access some arcane bottom
drawer, on this cruiser it’s easier than ever. What looks like a
drinkholder without a bottom is actually a convenient slot at the helm,
the perfect place to stash whatever charts you need.

October
CalendarSept. 30-Oct. 1. The Boston International In-Water Boat Show in
Boston, Massachusetts. (978) 777-4439. www.bostoninwaterboatshow.com.Oct. 14-17.
The United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. (410) 268-8828.
www.usboat.com.Oct. 28 - Nov.
1. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. (800) 940-7642. www.showmanagement.com.